Final answer:
Homer includes the running of Hector and Achilles past the spring of the Scamander in the Iliad to symbolize the interplay between human struggles, fate, and divine interference, emphasizing themes of transient human glory against eternal nature, and alluding to the Greek virtue of arete.
Step-by-step explanation:
The inclusion of Hector and Achilles running past the spring of the Scamander in Homer's Iliad is symbolically significant as it alludes to the larger themes in the epic poem. The Scamander River, personified as a god in the Iliad, represents nature and the divine, implying that the conflict between Hector and Achilles, the two great warriors, is not just a human struggle but also enmeshed in the will of the gods and the forces of nature.
Homer's work often incorporates environmental features to augment the narrative, giving contextual depth to the human actions. The proximity of the spring underscores the omnipresence of the gods in the Trojan War. Achilles and Hector's pursuit around the spring also epitomizes the inexorable cycle of fate and mortality that encompasses the lives of these heroes. Their arduous battle is more than a momentary skirmish; it resonates with the arete – the Greek virtue for excellence and success, which is a major theme throughout the Iliad and the Odyssey.
The spring's presence further heightens the contrast between the fleeting nature of human glory and the eternal, unchanging aspects of the world, such as the river. As such, this geographical landmark extends its meaning to the narrative, emphasizing the transient glory of the heroes against the backdrop of an indifferent nature, foreshadowing their eventual fates within the poem.